Don't vote to tear down beach fire station

Vote "no" on Article 4 in the Hampton Beach Village Precinct election.

Article 4, "If Article 3 is adopted, if the district will vote to authorize the demolition of the existing fire station on tax map 287, lot 32 and the existing garage on tax map 287 lot 29.

On Friday, March 30, the Hampton Beach Beach Village District will hold its annual meeting.

Tearing down the fire station would be a terrible mistake. Two years ago the state of N.H. gave the fire station building a historic designation. There is much more involved in receiving this designation than the age of the building. The building must be found to have a significant history to the town and the state. Hampton Beach needs to preserve its history and not trade it for a few extra parking spaces. If one looks at all the top tourist destinations in the country/world you will find they have a number of things in common. One of these common attractions is they preserve their old and historic buildings, and they also have a thriving artist community.

With the historic designation the precinct will be able to receive funds and grant money to restore the building. Last year a new roof was put on the fire station. A few years ago, the Precinct meeting room was completely renovated. The room is used for meetings, dances and the first Halloween party for children was held there this October and was a huge success.

There will be no space for any of this in the new fire station.

There are a few business owners who believe by tearing down the fire station they will be able to squeeze a few more parking spaces on the lot. Pretty soon

Hampton Beach will have more black topped parking lots than beach front. If you think that is an exaggeration, three years ago the Frommer's Travel Guide description of Hampton Beach was, "You expect sand and sea as you drive into Hampton Beach but instead you are greeted by a sea of blacktop everywhere." Now we want to add more. Not a very inviting description of our beach to tourists.

The rumors of the condition of the building are just that — rumors. Three years ago, the commissioners had an inspection of the building done to see what conditions our firefighters were working in. The inspection found no mold, no asbestos, no lead paint and the bones of the building were in great shape.

For two years we have been looking for a space at the beach for a touch tank that the nonprofit Blue Ocean Society would provide, free, we could use part of the fire station for that. The space could be used as a community center for our elderly and children. Part of the building or all of it could be leased out. It could be used as an artists building, were local artists could work and sell their crafts. There are a number of options for use of the building.

Let's begin to make Ashworth Avenue an appealing part of the beach, beginning with the old fire station. Please vote to keep the station.

June White

Hampton

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